Operation Thunderball

Operation Thunderball No 2, an army exercise to test the troops' self reliance in the field, took place recently, and, in the course of the event, which took them right around the East Coast, they camped in the Awapuni pine plantation.

While in Gisborne the unit gave a street demonstration of ambush and counter-attack, and were given a late evening supply drop at the airport.

In a second demonstration (above), a supply truck is ambushed, and while guards are posted (left), other members of the unit (below), search the truck drivers for arms.

Part of the camp in the plantation.

Drivers Peter Lee (Ruatoria), and Mike Friar and Gerry Leeper (Gisborne) are members of the unit.

Driver David Trail draws off oil for his truck.

Good food and plenty of it keeps the army going - the cooks dishing out at lunch time.

Sigs Trevor Sexton and John Fisher do some tuning-up to the Onan 3½ KVA generator which supplies the power for radio communication and lights.

Drivers Brian Managh, Randall Papworth, Graeme McKee and John Johnson make purchases from the YMCA secretary Colin Cottrell. The YMCA. stalls enable the men to buy goods not otherwise available when they are away from camp.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 150 : December 7, 1966

Operation Thunderball